Voice Over Internet Protocol or VOIP is a technology of transmitting
voice communications over IP networks like the Internet. It’s certainly
not a new technology — the first IEEE paper describing the basic ideas
behind the system appeared in the 1970s — but it has recently become a
mainstream technology thanks in large part to the biggest name in VoIP:
Skype.
Skype allows its over 520 million users to make free or very cheap calls
around the globe, with traditionally expensive features, such as a
caller ID, call waiting and conference calling all built-in. The cost
savings and ease-of-use of VoIP platforms like Skype (which also offers
text and video chat) have changed the way we communicate with one
another.
